JAMESTOWN, N.D. – It took all 40 minutes, but defense ultimately lifted Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball to victory on Wednesday. The Dragons earned their first NSIC victory of the 2026-27 season in a 59-57 road win over Jamestown.
Junior forward
Ayelishka Teko-Folly would spark the Dragons with four points off the bench. MSUM led 10-8 following a nifty up and under move from Teko-Folly. The Dragons would retain a two-point lead after
Grace Massaquoi was fouled while converting a tip-in lay-up. Five different Moorhead players scored through the first 13 points recorded. Jamestown would hold the Dragons without a basket for the final three minutes of the first period. The Jimmies converted on three long range shots to lead 17-13 after 10 minutes.
Caylin Kelly would break the scoring dry spell two minutes into the second frame. In that span, Jamestown had stretched its lead to nine points. The Jimmies knocked in their sixth three-pointer of the half to expand that advantage to 11 points (28-17). MSUM's defense would tighten up from there, holding the home team scoreless for over six minutes. However, Moorhead would only be able to come within five points following a putback by Kelly.
Jamestown would close the half scoring five straight points to lead 33-23. The Jimmies netted seven triples while the Dragons missed all nine of their long-range attempts. Moorhead shot 29 percent from the floor in the first half led by six from Kelly. The Dragons forced 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
Trailing by 10 points out of the locker room, Moorhead continued to chip into the Jimmie lead. A pair of three-pointers from
Ashton Safranski had the Dragons within four points with three minutes to play in the period.
Sydney Dahl and Kelly would score late in the quarter to have MSUM within two points (43-41). Massaquoi would score with 14 seconds left to even the contest at 43 points.
Moorhead's defense finally transitioned to positive offensive results. The Dragons forced seven turnovers in the third quarter alone while converting on an improved 45 percent shooting clip. Safranski led the comeback, scoring eight points in the stanza on a perfect three of three shooting.
The Dragons earned their first lead since the first quarter early in the final 10 minutes thanks to Teko-Folly. Safranski would post a 47-43 Dragon lead following a strong drive to the basket, leading to a three-point play. Jamestown would regain a 53-50 lead by the midway point of the final frame. MSUM would swing back, scoring five straight points to take back the lead following a score from Massaquoi.
Following a massive defensive stop, Kelly would cast a three to stretch Moorhead's lead to five points with just over a minute to play. The junior would earn a steal a few possessions later to preserve a one possession Dragon lead. Moorhead would hold on for a 59-57 victory with Kelly scoring a team-high 16 points. Safranski finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Teko-Folly dropped in 10 points while Massaquoi added nine points for MSUM.
The Dragon defensive effort in the second half changed the outcome of the game. MSUM held Jamestown to just eight made field goals in the final 20 minutes at a 32 percent success rate. The Jimmies finished the fourth quarter shooting one of 11 from the field. In total, Moorhead had a plus-14 advantage in turnovers, forcing 21 Jamestown giveaways.
Up Next
MSUM (3-1, 1-0 NSIC) continues early season conference action next week when they travel to take on Minnesota Crookston. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
